Look To The Stars News: Melanie Brown

Melanie Brown Spends Seven Days On The Breadline

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Former Spice Girl Melanie Brown recently spent a week with a poor family taping a documentary entitled “Seven Days on the Breadline.” She is now urging UK politicians to do more to help those receiving welfare.

She traveled back to her hometown of Leeds, England, where she stayed with unemployed single mother, Elaine Henry, and her five children, ranging from ages 6-18.

Before arriving, Brown knew nothing about the family or the state of the house. She was shocked by how decrepit the home was. She helped the family make the most of the financial aid they receive each week, and also encouraged them to keep up on chores around the house.

It didn’t take long for Brown to realize that the family wasn’t lazy, but had lost hope for having anything better. They were depressed by their current status and had essentially given up. Brown thinks the government could change this by offering a community outlet for children and teenagers.

Brown hopes the show “will make people think twice about people on benefits, rather than calling them lazy money grabbers. On the whole I think the majority could be encouraged to do a bit more if the government would step in. If you do not give people a way out, educate them, provide them with somewhere to live, and a community centre for them to visit and be stimulated, then how can you expect them to have the urge to get up and do anything with their lives?”

Michelle Williams To Headline Ndoro Children's Charities Event

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Fashion designers and entertainers are joining forces to raise much needed funds for children in Zimbabwe, at the inaugural Ndoro Children’s Charities fund-raising gala evening at The Dorchester, London on 17th September, 2009.

“The situation in Zimbabwe is critical. One in four children are orphans due to the Aids crisis, and with the economic crisis and political unrest, it is tragic state of affairs. We are a small charity focused on making a better life for children all over the world,” says Ronald Ndoro, Operations Manager and son of the founder Roseline Ndoro.

The gala night combines music and fashion and highlights including music from Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child, Nate Evans’ The Temptations, Mutya Buena and The London Community Gospel Choir. They will also be joined by Headphones & Heels, girl-team DJs.

20 British and leading designers also join together for a catwalk show and high-profile auction. Fashion leaders such as Nicole Farhi, Maria Grachvogel and Mark Jacobs are participating as well as rising stars from the British fashion industry; Charlotte Olympia, Olivia Rubin, Mac-Millan and Bordelle.

The night will be hosted by a raft of talent to include Michelle Williams, Konnie Huq, Nick Ede, Leah Charles and Bobak Kianoush, with a guestlist that at this stage includes former Spice Girls Emma Bunton, Melanie Brown and Geri Halliwell, as well as Erin O’Connor and many others.

Ndoro Children’s Charities was formed to help children in deprived developing countries with an initial focus on Zimbabwe. The aim of the night is to raise £100,000 which will go towards building a new orphanage home, school and clinic in Zimbabwe, 80 miles from Harare.

The charity has already raised enough money to open two homes in Harare for 16 street children or orphans to live and attend local schools. The properties are currently being re-furbished and are due to open this August.

Ndoro Children’s Charities was set up by Roseline Ndoro, who visited her home country Zimbabwe in 2005 after having been away for 10 years. She was shocked by what she saw and became quickly aware of the plight of the people, especially children orphaned due to HIV/AIDS, TB and cancer. Roseline then became ill with Breast Cancer and then unexpectedly her long-term partner died. Following discussions with her family here in the UK, she decided to setup the charity which was officially launched in 2008. She has recently been joined her by son, Ronald Ndoro, who gave up his training as a lawyer to head up the charity.

More info can be found here.

Celebrities Paint Masks For African Education

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Twenty of the biggest celebrities from music, film, sport and business have painted face masks for a new charity auction on eBay.

The auction is raising money for Education Africa, an organization established in 1992 to assist disadvantaged South Africans in their quest to obtain a quality, relevant education in order to ensure that they are in a position to become global citizens and a competitive force in the local job market.

Up for grabs in the auction are masks decorated by Paris Hilton, Bob Geldof, Stefi Graf, Andre Agassi, Lily Cole, Amanda Holden, Annie Lennox, Piers Morgan, Jude Law, Simon Cowell, Melanie Brown, Lewis Hamilton and many more. The masks will be on display at the chaity’s annual gala dinner to be held at the May Fair Hotel in London on March 31st 2009.

“We have all been overwhelmed by the generous response of so many celebrities to our unique campaign,” chairperson Jania Geoghegan said.

To view the masks and make a bid, visit the eBay site before April 5.

Mel B Cares For All Ages

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Singer Melanie Brown’s auction last year of household goods and clothing in the UK went so well – bringing in thousands of pounds for CLIC Sargent – she’s decided to do it again in her newest residence, the USA.

“I’m going to be auctioning off a ton of stuff,” she said.

Spice Girls memorabilia, costumes from tours and wardrobe items from the Spice Girls movie and Dancing With The Stars television program are on the block, as well as items out of her closet. On her website she promises to add more.

“One hundred percent of what you bid on these clothes is going to go to two charities,” says Brown. “One is [”LA Children’s Hostpital":http://www.looktothestars.org/charity/349-childrens-hospital-los-angeles] and the other one is Meals On Wheels, so you get to help the young and the elderly."

Total bids have already surpassed $4000 usd. Click here to view the items and place a bid.

LTTS Exclusive: Inside A Night To Make A Difference with Host Michelle Vink

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Michelle Vink

Look To The Stars’ lead host, Michelle Vink was on hand as a host of Leeza Gibbons’ A Night To Make A Difference Fundraiser on Oscar night. Read her story below:

“Without hope, life is just not worth living”…

Those were the words from Harvey Milk from the Oscar-winning movie, Milk. Despite the uncertain state of the economy and the lack of faith we keep hearing about on the news, there was an overwhelming resurgence of hopeful optimism at the Oscars this year. Winning storylines like Slumdog Millionaire and Milk captured that very essence.

A new type of Oscar party

I recall reading that Slumdog director Danny Boyle placed the money to be paid to the 3 lead child actors in a trust until they complete grade school, and that the production company set up a driver to take the kids to school every day until they are 16 years old. When the movie was nominated for an Oscar alongside all the Milk nominations, I knew it would be a good year.

Soon after that I learned of a new type of Oscar party that Leeza Gibbons was coordinating, called A Night to Make A Difference. The timing was impeccable, and before I knew it I was invited to help host the event.

Michelle with Leeza and co-host, Russell.

Celebrity organisers with special causes

Leeza wanted to “take the global stage of Oscar Night and use it to put the focus on advocacy, philanthropy and volunteerism.” With a team of volunteers and a production team fueled with the same passion, Leeza did just that. Helped by Olivia Newton-John, music legend David Foster, and several co-hosts, the team created “A Party with a Purpose.” This monumental event not only benefited Leeza Gibbons’ Memory Foundation and the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre, but also raised awareness for philanthropy and inspired a feeling of hope. This inaugural event was streamed live here on LooktotheStars.org, and on other sites including Variety.com , LeezaGibbonsOscarEvent.com, Glam.com and ExtraTV.com.

With the aid of Jessica Biel and her Make The Difference Network, an opportunity was created for viewers to donate to the cause or just open the door for people to get involved in a charity that is close to their own hearts. Check out MTDN.com for more information on Jessica’s charity.

Jessica Biel – photo by Levi Walker

An all-star cast of celebrity givers

Celebrities who came out to support this event and celebrate Hollywood’s big heart included Laila Ali (who uses her celebrity to get kids excited about physical fitness), Mel B., Jessica Biel, Wilson Cruz, Hilary Duff, Teri Hatcher, Tony Hawk, Paris Hilton, Slash & Perla Hudson (who donated a guitar to the auction), Kym Johnson, Mario Lopez, Melissa Gilbert, Jane Seymour & James Keach, Cindy Margolis, Terrell Owens, Holly Robinson-Peete, Suzanne Somers, Dee Wallace, Forest & Keisha Whitaker and many, many others. I was honored to interview Wilson Cruz (He’s Just Not That Into You) immediately following Dustin Lance Black’s win for Milk and I was moved by his passionate desire for change.

Michelle talks to Teri Hatcher during the event.

A responsibility to help

Rex Lee said of using his celebrity status for good, “For whatever reason, people out in the world pay attention to us, and if I say I support Olivia Newton John and building a new cancer center out in Australia, people listen. There is a responsibily in that.”

Michael Buble expressed his feelings on helping others, too, saying, “I think most people hopefully have compassion and empathy. We’ve been blessed, and we should help.”

Michael Buble and Paris Hilton – photo by Levi Walker

Manuela Testolini, founder of In A Perfect World, talked about giving back, saying, “It’s mutually beneficial. The thing that unites us despite our circumstances is the desire to create better world.”

Making a difference with makeovers

Another special touch to the event was the five women that were “hired” as extras from the LA Women’s Shelter. Celebrity hairdresser Ken Paves supervised red carpet makeovers for these women, providing hair, makeup and wardrobe. Shoes were donated by Jessica Simpson. The women were given life coaching lessons and a boost of confidence to help them show others that change is possible, that we can always reinvent ourselves (just like Madonna), and that there is always room for a second chance.

“Help other people”

While on the red carpet, Jane Seymour said, “It’s not just the Oscars, but giving back and helping other people. It’s about what you can do to help other people right now. The more we help other people, the better it will be for all of us. My mum always used to say to me, ‘When life is tough, go out and help other people’ […] Every single person on this planet can make a difference – it’s just an act of kindness.”

David Foster and Jane Seymour – photo by Levi Walker

So despite what we have been hearing on the news, it looks like there are a few of us out there that still believe in hope. Thank you, Leeza — it truly was a party with a purpose.

Look To The Stars Exclusive: Live Stream Of Leeza Gibbons' Night To Make A Difference

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Look To The Stars is proud to be involved in one of Hollywood’s premier charity Oscar parties this weekend. Leeza Gibbons’ A Night To Make A Difference will take place on Sunday, February 22, at the iconic Mr Chow in Beverly Hills, with a host of celebrities expected to attend. And Look To The Stars is streaming the event LIVE.

This unique event will bring together stars from film, TV, music, sports and fashion to celebrate the worlds of celebrity and charity. Special Ambassadors of Change who have used their celebrity to make a tangible difference in the world will be on hand to empower the audience to make a difference in their own lives.

Hosted by Leeza Gibbons, Olivia Newton-John and David Foster, the Night To Make A Difference will attract stars such as Paris Hilton, Jessica Biel, Forest Whitaker, Slash, Alan Thicke, Ashley Tisdale, Brooke Burns, Cheryl Burke, Cheryl Ladd, Chevy Chase, Danny Boyle, Darryl McDaniels, Dee Wallace, Hilary Duff, Holly Robinson-Peete, Jaclyn Smith, Jane Seymour, Joey Fatone, Jordin Sparks, Ken Paves, Mario Lopez, Mel B., Melissa Gilbert, Rick Schroder, Suzanne Somers, Taraji P. Henson, Teri Hatcher, Tony Hawk and many more.

“The Night To Make a Difference party is to benefit the [”Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation":http://www.looktothestars.org/charity/402-leezas-place] and my own Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Center," Olivia Newton-John told Look To The Stars. “But now it has morphed into a bigger night than just our two charities – it’s about everybody’s philanthropy and giving back. It’s a new era in America with the new Obama presidency, and it’s all about giving back, so we decided to make the night an evening about celebrity giving – like the theme of Look To The Stars.”

Other charities to be involved with the event are Jessica Biel’s Make The Difference Network, the Felix Organization, the Children’s Hospice & Palliative Care Coalition, Cancer Schmancer Movement, Blessings in a Backpack, the Red Cross, TreePeople, the Tony Hawk Foundation, the David Foster Foundation, Smiles For Life, The HollyRod Foundation and many more.

“This event is truly different from the others and one of the aspects I am most excited about is the ability for viewers at home to be a part of the experience via the live webcast,” said Leeza Gibbons. “With Arquiva and Highwinds handling the technical wizardry, we are able to focus on our message of advocacy and philanthropy. Our hope is to inspire people at home and around the world to take action and knowing that we are able to reach a broad audience on the web means we truly have a chance to help create the change presented by our on-camera Hollywood celebrities. I think it’s what happens when Hollywood stars converge with technical stars like Arquiva and Highwinds. Our combination of being behind the scenes of movie’s most glamorous night along wtih it’s most passionate and purposeful stars takes the gold for best new web idea!”

The event kicks off at 4pm in Beverly Hills with Red Carpet arrivals. For more information and tickets, visit the official Night To Make A Difference website. And be sure to visit Look To The Stars’ special live stream of the event on Oscars night.

Buy Once Give Twice With The Spice Girls

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Former Spice Girl Melanie Brown is holding a New Years Sale for charity.

Fans of the singer can get their hands on a range of items such as her bikini top, tea cups, coasters, curtains, glasses, ornaments, cushions, shoes, bowls, trousers, shirts – almost anything you could wish for.

Proceeds from the sale will go to CLIC Sargent, a charity that aims to provide financial and practical support to families through specialist care in hospital and home.

The auction ends on January 22 and can be accessed here.

And Mel B isn’t the only Spice Girl selling her stuff for charity at the moment: Melanie C is auctioning the shoes she wore at the launch of the Spice Girls reunion tour.

The size 39 black Carvela suede high heels with peep toes come with a signed certificate from the singer: “These shoes were special to me because… I wore them on a very special day, the launch of the Spice Girls re-union tour, they brought me lots of luck.”

Proceeds from the sale will go to the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, the only charity in the UK wholly dedicated to defeating lung cancer, the biggest cancer killer in the world.

“Dancing has been such a big part of my life, so I jumped at the chance to help De-Feet Lung Cancer,” said Melanie C. “There are so many ways you can get your feet involved in fundraising. So please join me – put your best foot forward and be part of the ‘De-Feet’ fun!”

The auction runs until January 12 and can be accessed through Buy Once Give Twice.

Mel B Sells Out For Charity

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Since Spice Girls singer Melanie Brown was moving herself from the UK to the US, she found that keeping her English manor’s contents was one household too many – so she auctioned everything on eBay and donated the proceeds to CLIC Sargent.

Brown’s motorbike, grand piano, furniture, clothing and Spice Girl paraphernalia translated into thousands of pounds for the children’s cancer charity. Where every day ten children are diagnosed with cancer, CLIC Sargent aims to provide financial and practical support to families through specialist care in hospital and home.

Brown was proud to contribute to something meaningful, Evening News 24 reported. “The older you get, the more you realise that if people are giving you something, you have a responsibility to do something in return, by lending your time and name and support.”

Mel B Wants To Spice Up Your Home

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Former Spice Girl Melanie Brown is to auction the contents of her home, including all of her treasured outfits and items from the girl-band era, for charity.

The auction, being run through eBay, will raise money for CLIC Sargent, an organization that cares for young people with cancer and their families both in hospitals and in the community.

Mel B wants to spice up your life by offering you the chance to get your hands on costumes from the recent Return of the Spice Girls tour, the coat from the band’s Stop video, her trademark fake fur outfit consisting of a bikini top and matching mini-skirt, and the outfit she wore when she and her fellow Spice Girls met former South African leader Nelson Mandela.

And if that’s not enough, there’s also a motorbike, a Bechstein baby grand piano, a MTV Cribs dining table, and an assortment of jugs, tables and toasters.

“I feel happy to be able to contribute to such an important cause,” said the 33-year-old singer.

The auction, which starts today and runs until October 26, can be accessed through www.melbsale.com.

Mel B Poses For The Cure In Charity Auction

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Finding unique, inspired, and trendy designer clothing is every fashionista’s ultimate shopping fantasy. Well, your dreams are about to come true – a new charity auction being run through eBay Giving Works is letting you bid on pink-inspired items in an exclusive designer fashion collection.

Daisy Fuentes and Spice Girl Mel B have joined with designers such as Nicole Miller, Tory Burch, Miss Sixty, Dolce&Gabbana, and Gucci in donating items for the auction, which will raise money for Susan G. Komen for the Cure, an organization promising to save lives and end breast cancer forever. All of the pieces in the auction are pink – from sunglasses to strapless dresses to skinny jeans – which ties in with the organization’s current Pose for the Cure campaign being run in conjunction with Kraft Foods Inc.

Also as part of the campaign, Mel B has designed a special T-shirt to raise money for the battle against breast cancer. Featuring her own ribbon design in white reversed from a field of multi-tone pink water-color-like splashes, the 60% cotton/40% polyester short sleeve T-shirt is available directly from the Pose for the Cure website for $24.99, with $10.59 from each shirt going to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

The fashion auction – which runs until October 10 – can be accessed through eBay, and direct donations to the campaign can be made through its website.

Idol And Dancing With The Stars Auctions For Great Causes

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 08:59:51 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

What’s better than an auction featuring items from your favorite television show? An auction featuring items from two of your favorite television shows! Fans of American Idol and Dancing With The Stars will be jumping up and down with excitement when they see what’s on offer over at www.clothesoffourback.org this week, with a mouthwatering assortment of garments and other surprises up for grabs.

The auction presents a unique opportunity for all those people who have watched Dancing With The Stars and said to themselves “I wouldn’t want to be in their shoes.” A host of the best celebrity dancers from the show are selling their fancy footwear for charity, and are inviting people to step up and make a bid. Melanie Brown, Vivica Fox, Julianne Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, Samantha Harris, Marissa Jaret Winokur, Jane Seymour, and Lisa Rima are all putting their best foot forward and donating shoes to the auction, and the highest bidders will also receive a selection of products from Dr Scholl. Proceeds will go to a selection of charities chosen by the stars.

Anybody interested in the auction should hot-foot it over there soon – the auction ends on May 7.

Following hot on the heels of the shoe auction is a sale from American Idol’s Kimberley Locke. The Season 2 finalist is auctioning the dress she wore when she performed her song “Fall” on the show, and it just happens that the garment was designed by Project Runway’s Season 4 winner, Christian Siriano. The auction ends on April 18, and proceeds will benefit Camp Heartland.

And just in case you want to put your feet up after all of your hard bidding, why not check out the Modern Studio Furnishings celebrity signed couch that is also on offer over at Clothes Off Our Back. A colossal crowd of celebrities have autographed the sofa, used at last year’s BET Awards, including Patti La Belle, Gladys Knight, Jennifer Hudson, Jordin Sparks, Robin Thicke, Akon, Stevie Wonder, Vanessa Williams, and many more. Proceeds from the auction – which ends April 18 – will go to the BET Foundation.

What a pity it is only signatures on the couch… it would make for a cosy and interesting evening squeezed up to all those celebrities!

Mel B Gets Spicey For Charity

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 11:17:07 -0000

Written by Regina Walton

Spice Girl and Dancing With The Stars sensation Melanie Brown has taken Girl Power one step further – she has posed nude for a campaign to benefit the Helen Bamber Foundation, a charity that campaigns against sex trafficking and works to benefit victims of the sex slave trade.

“I’m curvier now I’ve had kids but I like the way I look,” said the singer. “Women’s bodies are beautiful and any charity helping women is important.”

In addition to Mel B, Scottish television presenter Jenni Falconer has also contributed nude photos to the campaign.

“I posed to confront my fears of being naked,” said the 32-year-old. “Unlike victims of trafficking, I have a choice.”

Children in Need

Fri, 16 Nov 2007 12:27:27 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

The stars have lined up for the 2007 Children in Need Appeal, the BBC’s annual TV charity event. Airing tonight on BBC One, the evening of special programming will be hosted by Terry Wogan, and will feature special live performances by the Spice Girls in LA, Kylie Minogue, Westlife, Annie Lennox, David Gray and Sugababes.

The Spice Girls are also helping out by donating funds from their new single “Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)”. [Amazon: CD, MP3]

Irish boy band Boyzone have reformed for the event; the band split seven years ago when lead singer Ronan Keating went solo.

Last year’s appeal brought in £33 million ($66 million) for the charity, which strives to improve the lives of disadvantaged children.

As we are reporting in other news today, Children in Need is also one of the beneficiaries of a new fundraising book of celebrity handprints.

Mandela Hopes Spice Girls Will Reunite For Charity Birthday Party

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 21:36:56 -0000

Written by Steve Purcell

British newspaper The Mirror reported that Nelson Mandela is keen to reunite the Spice Girls for a charity party on July 28 to celebrate his 89th birthday.

A source was quoted as saying, “It would make Nelson’s day if the girls performed,” and confirmed that individual invitations have been sent to the former band members Victoria Beckham, Geri Halliwell, Melanie C and Melanie Brown.

Since his retirement from the South African presidency in 1999, Mandela has devoted his remaining years to peace and charity work through his Nelson Mandela Foundation, and his birthday has even been trademarked for charity.

His birthday celebrations have been accompanied in recent years by the peace-oriented Nelson Mandela Lectures, which have featured such guest speakers as Bill Clinton, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Nobel Prize winner Wangari Maathai. In 2003, Mandela gave an hour-long address to a young audience of 2 billion on international music channel MTV concerning HIV/AIDS, the struggle for democracy, and reconciliation.

Other music celebrities invited to this year’s celebrations include Queen guitarist Brian May, Annie Lennox and Peter Gabriel.

In related news, $27,000 was raised this week in a charity auction for the chance to have tea with Mandela.

Look To The Stars News: Melanie Brown

Melanie Brown Spends Seven Days On The Breadline

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Michelle Williams To Headline Ndoro Children's Charities Event

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Celebrities Paint Masks For African Education

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Mel B Cares For All Ages

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LTTS Exclusive: Inside A Night To Make A Difference with Host Michelle Vink

“Without hope, life is just not worth living”…

A new type of Oscar party

Celebrity organisers with special causes

An all-star cast of celebrity givers

A responsibility to help

Making a difference with makeovers

“Help other people”

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Look To The Stars Exclusive: Live Stream Of Leeza Gibbons' Night To Make A Difference

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Buy Once Give Twice With The Spice Girls

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Mel B Wants To Spice Up Your Home

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Mel B Poses For The Cure In Charity Auction

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Children in Need

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